High-Stakes Anthological Survival
Created by Chris Lunt, Prey is divided into two compact, three-episode seasons, each following a different law enforcement professional forced onto the wrong side of the law.
Season 1: On the Run
The first instalment stars John Simm (Life on Mars, Grace) as Detective Sergeant Marcus Farrow, a well-liked and deeply respected Manchester copper. His world utterly collapses when he is discovered at the scene of a brutal crime with overwhelming circumstantial evidence pointing directly to his guilt. Accused of murdering his ex-wife and one of his sons, Farrow goes on the run in a desperate, race-against-the-clock bid to evade capture and clear his name.
Season 2: A Father’s Nightmare
Shifting focus while maintaining its breakneck pace, the second season stars fellow Life on Mars alum Philip Glenister as Prison Officer David Murdoch. His life is upended by a chilling phone call revealing that his pregnant daughter, Lucy, has been kidnapped. Coerced into helping a dangerous inmate, Jules Hope (MyAnna Buring), escape custody, Murdoch is forced into his own desperate flight from justice.
Connecting both seasons is the relentless Detective Sergeant Susan Reinhardt, played with grounded determination by Rosie Cavaliero (Kaos), who spearheads the high-stakes manhunts.
Stellar Ensemble Cast
The fast-moving procedural is bolstered by a stellar roster of prominent British acting talent:
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Craig Parkinson (Line of Duty) as DI Sean Devlin.
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Benedict Wong (3 Body Problem) as DS Ashley Chan.
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Adrian Edmondson (EastEnders) as Assistant Chief Constable Warner.
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Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Culprits) as DC Richard Iddon.
Critical and Audience Acclaim
Industry critics have consistently praised the show’s tight script and propulsive energy, describing it as a near-flawless example of British television at its most suspenseful.
“Prey… is a near-perfect blend of well-crafted characterisations within the context of a credibly gripping murder case.”
— The San Francisco Chronicle
Audiences on IMDb and social media have echoed these sentiments, flooding forums with rave reviews praising its tight structure. “I can’t believe that I just found this gem. Outstanding acting from virtually everyone, non-stop action, great storyline,” one viewer noted. Another added, “Great series, worth the time and a good binge watch – Brits do it best!”
With a combined total of just six episodes across both seasons, Prey is currently available to stream on Netflix, ITVX, and Amazon Prime Video.
© Ben Blackall / ©ITV / Alamy Stock PhotoMeanwhile, a third added: “A great drama – it is nice to see ITV being able to now compete with the BBC with high-quality dramas.”
What to expect from Prey
Told over two binge-worthy seasons, Prey centres around Detective Sergeant Marcus Farrow, a well-liked and respected copper in his field.
© Alamy Stock PhotoThe synopsis reads: “But when Farrow is found at the scene of a brutal crime, with all the evidence pointing towards him, his world collapses. Now on the run, Farrow is not just trying to evade capture. He is determined to clear his name. With the clock ticking, will Farrow stay free long enough to find the truth?”
Who stars in Prey?
Leading series one is John Simm (Life on Mars, Grace), who plays DS Marcus Farrow, while Rosie Cavaliero (Kaos, The Power of Parker) stars in both seasons as DS Susan Reinhart.
They’re joined by Craig Parkinson (Line of Duty, Grace) as DI Sean Devlin, Benedict Wong (3 Body Problem) as DS Ashley Chan, and Adrian Edmondson (EastEnders) as Assistant Chief Constable Warner.
© Ben Blackall / ©ITV / Alamy Stock PhotoRounding out the cast of season two are Philip Glenister (Life on Mars, Bergerac) as David Murdoch, MyAnna Buring (The Witcher) as Jules Hope, and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Culprits) as DC Richard Iddon.
Prey is available to watch on Netflix, ITVX and Prime Video.
